Lakebogaite is a rare phosphate mineral primarily known from the granite quarries at Lake Boga, Australia. It typically occurs as small, tabular, yellow to brownish-orange crystals or radiating sprays found in oxidized cavities of pegmatites.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Pale yellow

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Lakebogaite

Hardness: ~3
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Pale yellow
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this lakebogaite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch lakebogaite with a known reference. Lakebogaite sits at Mohs ~3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellow.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bright lemon yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: blocky, euhedral crystals.

Often confused with

Lakebogaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside lakebogaite

Minerals reported to co-occur with lakebogaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: NaCaFe₂H(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂(H₂O)₄·3H₂O
Mohs hardness: ~3
Density: 3.485 g/cm³
Colors: Bright lemon yellow
Streak: Pale yellow
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Blocky, euhedral crystals
Cleavage: Indistinct normal to [010]
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In miarolitic cavities and on joint surfaces in a weathered uranium and fluorapatite-bearing pegmatitic granite

Where rockhounds find lakebogaite

Classic worldwide localities

Lake Boga quarry, northern Victoria, Australia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In miarolitic cavities and on joint surfaces in a weathered uranium and fluorapatite-bearing pegmatitic granite. If you start seeing meurigite-na, torbernite, saléeite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: blocky, euhedral crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify lakebogaite?+

Mohs hardness is ~3. Luster: vitreous. The streak is pale yellow. Common colors include bright lemon yellow.

Where is lakebogaite found?+

Notable localities include Lake Boga quarry, northern Victoria, Australia.

Is lakebogaite safe to handle?+

Lakebogaite contains uranium or thorium and calls for real care. Contains uranium and iron phosphate; handle with care using gloves and store in a sealed container to prevent ingestion or inhalation of dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

What rocks look like lakebogaite?+

Lakebogaite is most often confused with Autunite, Torbernite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with lakebogaite?+

Lakebogaite commonly co-occurs with Meurigite-Na, Torbernite, Saléeite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does lakebogaite form in?+

Where it forms: In miarolitic cavities and on joint surfaces in a weathered uranium and fluorapatite-bearing pegmatitic granite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is lakebogaite used for?+

Lakebogaite is used in collector.

Find lakebogaite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.